Speaking on The Free Press podcast, Rubio outlined a potential compromise in ongoing talks aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions. While reaffirming Washington’s stance against Iranian enrichment, he indicated that a civilian programme relying on imported nuclear fuel could be acceptable.
“If Iran wants a civil nuclear programme, they can have one just like many other countries,” Rubio said. “But they don’t enrich it themselves.” He pointed to Iran’s existing reactor that uses imported Russian-enriched uranium as a model for what the US would accept going forward.
This comes amid mixed messages from senior US officials. Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s envoy and top nuclear negotiator, recently said that low-level enrichment might initially be tolerated—before ultimately being phased out. Meanwhile, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz has previously insisted on “full dismantlement” of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
Rubio’s comments mark a shift in tone as the Trump administration seeks to revive a deal similar to the 2015 nuclear accord, which saw Iran agree to stringent limitations in exchange for sanctions relief. That agreement fell apart in 2018 after Trump withdrew the US and imposed sweeping sanctions, prompting Iran to enrich uranium to levels nearing weapons-grade purity.
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, pushed back on Washington’s position in a speech released this week, arguing that Tehran has an internationally recognised right to enrich uranium under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). “Iran must not be treated as an exception,” Araghchi said, emphasizing that any agreement must focus solely on nuclear issues—not Iran’s missile programme or its regional military activities.
Despite the diplomatic stalemate, technical teams from both countries are expected to meet this weekend alongside Witkoff and Araghchi, who will engage in a third round of indirect talks.
While Trump has floated the idea of military action should Iran reject a deal, Rubio insisted that Washington remains committed to diplomacy. “We’re a long ways away from any sort of agreement with Iran,” he said. “We recognise it’s difficult and hard.”
Iran, meanwhile, appears to be framing the talks in economic terms, hoping to attract Trump’s interest in a potential deal. In his draft remarks, Araghchi highlighted a “trillion-dollar opportunity” for US businesses in Iran’s nuclear energy sector. “We aim to build at least 19 more reactors,” he said, suggesting a lucrative opening for America’s struggling nuclear industry.
As the Financial Times notes, both sides appear to be testing the waters for a potential breakthrough, even as deep-seated mistrust and competing visions for Iran’s nuclear future continue to complicate negotiations.
